An intercountry adoption is an adoption of a child who is habitually resident in one country by an individual or couple who are habitually resident in another country.
The principles of intercountry adoption are enshrined in the relevant international conventions to which the UK is a signatory, including the Hague Convention (of 29 May 1993) on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
The key principles include:
- children who cannot live with their birth parents should be given the opportunity to live as part of a permanent family in their country of birth wherever possible;
- intercountry adoption may be considered as an alternative means of providing a permanent family for a child who cannot be cared for in a suitable manner in his or her own country;
- intercountry adoption should only take place where it is in the best interests of the child and with respect for his or her fundamental rights; and
- safeguards and standards equivalent to those which apply in domestic adoption should be applied in intercountry adoption to protect the welfare of the child.
All prospective adopters who are habitually resident in the British Islands and wish to adopt a child habitually resident in another country are required to have been approved and assessed as suitable to adopt by a registered adoption agency.
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